This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-02-22 to 2026-02-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

White House Announces Increase in Domestic Energy Production and Infrastructure Investments

President Trump’s administration reported record natural gas exports in 2025, reaching over 100 million metric tons of LNG. Regulatory reforms delivered a 55% rise in approved drilling permits, with nearly 6,000 issued on federal lands. Investments include $625 million allocated to modernize the coal sector, renewed support for nuclear energy, and the withdrawal from international accords such as the Paris Climate Agreement. The administration rescinded the Obama-era Endangerment Finding and fuel economy standards, redirected resources from electric vehicle mandates, and claimed improved energy independence and national security through expanded production and deregulation.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USTR Requests Comments on Critical Mineral Supply Chain Policy and Plurilateral Trade Agreements

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a call for public comments regarding the design of a potential plurilateral trade agreement on critical minerals and associated policy actions. Feedback is sought on approaches to enhance market-based supply, implement minimum or reference pricing, address regulatory arbitrage, and facilitate supply chain investment. The request references several recent Executive Orders and presidential proclamations targeting mineral security and supply chain resilience. Interested parties may submit comments by March 19, 2026, through the USTR portal, under docket number USTR-2026-0034.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Releases Notice of Availability for Environmental Impact Statements on Nevada Mining Operations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) filed from February 13 to 23, 2026. Reports include the final EIS for the Silver Peak Lithium Operation Expansion Project and the GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Project in Nevada, both managed by BLM. Key review deadlines include May 1, 2026 for comments on the Mariana Islands military training supplement and March 30, 2026 for the GridLiance West project. Stakeholders can access these documents and EPA’s formal comments online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Interior Department Finalizes NEPA Implementing Regulations With Handbook Guidance

The Department of the Interior adopted minor changes to its interim final rule governing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures, moving most processes to a Departmental Handbook separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. The rule revises emergency response and categorical exclusions and codifies lead/cooperating agency procedures for multi-jurisdictional reviews. Aligning with statutory amendments from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and recent Executive Orders, the changes are intended to offer procedural clarity, incorporate statutory deadlines and page limits, and reduce litigation exposure. The rule received over 6,600 comments prior to final adoption and is effective February 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USITC Schedules Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Investigations on Russian Palladium

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) initiated the final phase of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations (Nos. 701-TA-776 and 731-TA-1761) concerning imports of unwrought palladium from Russia. The investigations focus on whether U.S. industries are injured by products sold at less-than-fair-value or subsidized. The schedule includes a prehearing staff report release on April 15, 2026, a hearing on April 27, 2026, and other filing deadlines. Participation requires electronic submissions to the Commission’s EDIS, with protective orders available for business proprietary information.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 Advances in House

H.R. 1501, Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, is under consideration in the House with recent hearings held in the subcommittee. The bill centers on supporting domestic mining activities in the energy sector.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 Moves to Union Calendar

H.R. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, placed on Calendar No. 444, aims to address energy and mining supply chain issues, focusing on critical mineral development and standardization.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act Passed Senate

H.R. 972, Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, concerning public lands and natural resource management, passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. The bill's progress reflects ongoing efforts to address regional conservation and infrastructure in the pipeline sector.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• G&D Refiners Expands Focus on Domestic Precious Metal Recovery Amid Supply Chain Volatility: G&D Refiners announces new strategies for domestic precious metal recovery in response to volatility.
• Noram Fully Funded for 2026 and Engages GRE to Update PEA With Multiple High-Value Critical Mineral Byproduct Credits: Noram secures funding for 2026 and targets expanded critical mineral byproduct credits in PEA.
• Noram Adds Additional Critical Mineral to List of High-Value Byproduct Credits in Zeus Project Upgraded PEA: Noram includes an extra critical mineral in the Zeus project’s upgraded PEA for higher-value credits.
• Zimbabwe owes Valterra Platinum $100 million in unpaid export proceeds: Valterra Platinum reports $100 million outstanding export payments from Zimbabwe government.
• White Gold Corp. Intersects Multiple Zones of Gold Mineralization and Expands the High-Grade Core at Golden Saddle Intersecting 3.23 g/t Gold over 56.1 m and Intersects High Grade Gold on the Arc Deposit Significantly Extending Gold Mineralization by 10: White Gold Corp. expands high-grade core with multiple zones of gold mineralization at Golden Saddle.

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